independence

EU sees 'limited' impact of Catalonia crisis on economy

Brussels - Emirates Voice

The independence crisis in Catalonia has only made a very limited impact on the Spanish economy, EU economics commissioner Pierre Moscovici said Thursday. The blowout from the separatist push by Catalonia has worried economists, with hundreds of businesses relocating their headquarters outside the wealthy northeastern region as the political standoff with Madrid deepens. "Our central scenario does not include anyRead more

Catalan parliament speaker appears at Spain's Supreme Court

Madrid - Emirates Voice

The former speaker of Catalonia's sacked parliament Carme Forcadell appeared Thursday at Spain's Supreme Court over her role in the region's controversial independence drive. A judge may decide to detain Forcadell and some former lawmakers on charges of sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds after Catalan lawmakers voted last month to split from Spain.Read more

Barcelona fans seek "justice" for Catalan ministers

Barcelona - Emirates Voice

A huge Catalan flag and banners reading "justice" in Catalan and English were displayed before Barcelona's La Liga clash with Sevilla on Saturday amid the escalating political crisis sweeping Barcelona. On Thursday eight ministers of the deposed Catalan government, following the enforcement of home rule by the Spanish government, were detained pending a possible trial for their roles in theRead more

Judge orders eight members of deposed Catalan govt detained

Madrid - Emirates Voice

A Spanish judge on Thursday ordered eight members of the deposed Catalan government detained pending further probes into their role in the region's tumultuous quest for independence, a Madrid court said. These include Oriol Junqueras, the deputy of Catalonia's axed leader Carles Puigdemont, who is in Belgium and refused to show up in Madrid for a court summons.Read more

Spain court summons Catalan parliament speaker

Madrid - Emirates Voice

Spain's Supreme Court said Tuesday it had summoned Catalonia's former parliamentary speaker to appear for questioning this week to be charged over the region's independence drive. Carme Forcadell and her parliamentary deputies have been summoned to appear in court on November 2 and 3, Spain's top court said in a statement.Read more

HRH Premier congratulates Turkmen President

Manama - Emirates Voice

HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa sent a cable of congratulations to Turkmenistan’s President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov on his country’s Independence Day. HRH Premier wished the Turkmen President good health and happiness and the Republic of Turkmenistan further progress and prosperity Source: Fana News Read more

Spain to file rebellion charges against Catalan leader

Madrid - Emirates Voice

Spain's public prosecutor's office will file rebellion charges next week against Catalan secessionist leader Carles Puigdemont, a spokesman said Friday after Catalonia's regional parliament voted to declare independence. A court will then decide whether to accept the charges against Puigdemont. Under Spanish law, the crime of "rebellion" is punishable by up to 30 years in jail. Read more

Catalan parliament declares independence from Spain

Barcelona - Emirates Voice

Catalonia's parliament voted Friday to declare independence from Spain and proclaim a republic, just as Madrid is poised to impose direct rule on the semi-autonomous region to stop it in its tracks. A motion declaring independence was approved with 70 votes in favour, 10 against and two abstentions, with Catalan opposition MPs walking out of the 135-seat chamber before theRead more

Catalan leader's announcement 'suspended'

Barcelona - Emirates Voice

After delaying it by one hour, Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont "suspended" his much-anticipated announcement on Thursday, as independence supporters protested in Barcelona over reports he is poised to call elections and renounce declaring independence. In a brief message, a regional government spokesman said the speech was "suspended," but it was as yet unclear if it would go ahead later.Read more

Iraqi Kurdistan offers to 'freeze' results of independence vote

Erbil - Emirates Voice

Iraqi Kurdistan proposed Wednesday to freeze the results of its independence referendum, which triggered a major crisis with Baghdad. Iraq has called for the cancellation of the results of the vote as a precondition for all negotiations and in retaliation has seized large areas of territory held by Kurdish forces.Read more